This symbol  indicates availability of pronunciation where applicable.  The number next to the name indicates where the name can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib.  Name is also written in Gurmukhi where applicable. 

Choose from either a Gurmukhi or English letter to start your name search...

English

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Gurmukhi

Need a Sikh baby name?

Get Started

• Choose a letter 

  by taking a vaak online from the Hukam. 

  • Today's Hukam from the Harmandir Sahib.  What is Hukam?

  • Audio Hukamnama from the Harminder Sahib | Cyber Hukam

  • At home, you can open the Guru Granth Sahib to a random page and the first letter of the first word on the top of the left page is the letter designated for the child's first name.  If the word is broken or is a continuation of the previous page then turn back the page and pick the letter on the top of the previous left page.  (Phew!).  Akhand Path precedes the Hukam Nama (you knew that!).

• Choose a name

  • Pick a Gurmukhi or an English alphabet to start searching for the name that would be just right for your baby. 

     

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Name Elements

• Titles 

  Mr = Sirdar, Mrs = Sirdani, Miss = Bibi, Sister = Bibi, Biji, Didi, Mother = Mata, Brother = veerji/Bhaji

• Prefix & Suffix

  Most elements can occur as a suffix or prefix but some are more likely to be one than the other. For instance, -pal, -want and -jit/-jeet, -preet, -inder, -deep etc. are far more common as suffixes
  (*hint: you don't always need a common prefix or a suffix :-)

• Last Names

  Sikh girls are given the last name Kaur (meaning prince) and Sikh boys are given the last name Singh. 

Note: ome families and individuals choose to use a "family" or a "sur" name that is different from the aforementioned and it that case, they adopt Kaur or Singh as middle names. 

• First Names

  Most Sikh first names are gender-neutral.  For example, Harpreet could be a male or female's first name.  What identifies Harpreet Kaur as a female is the word Kaur following the first name. 

Sikh Names, their Meanings and Significance

Most but not all names are derived from the Guru Granth Sahib and in most cases describe God's attributes and not ours.  (ie. immortal, infinite beauty, most intelligent, unfathomable, unapproachable, victorious, pure, ageless etc.) 

In 1699, Sikh Women were given the last name 'Kaur' and and Men 'Singh' by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru. This initiate intended to end the caste system, social stratification and much of the apparatus of Hindu ritual and legalism.  In Indian society, an individual's name reveals his or her caste, and Sikhs were freed from the caste system by having all men incorporate Singh in their names and all women, Kaur. (Reference). 

 

Meaning may change depending on the context of use.  Some names listed here may not be directly or pure derivatives from Gurbani, but rather a combination of words derived from Gurbani.  The meaning is supposed unless referenced to the Gurbani.  If no reference is indicted, then our best guestimate is listed as the meaning.  As you guessed by now, there may be several possible meanings of each name.  Pronunciation can change the meaning.

Resources

Buy books on Sikh Names

How to change your name?